South Africa delivered a fiery start in the first T20I at Darwin, removing three Australian batters in quick succession within the opening four overs after captain Aiden Markram elected to bowl first.
The breakthrough came in the second over when Kagiso Rabada dismissed Travis Head for 2 off 7 balls. The left-hander attempted to squeeze out a very full delivery outside off but ended up slicing it to short third man. Kwena Maphaka took the catch on the second attempt after the ball hit him on the wrist, ensuring South Africa’s early breakthrough despite having dropped Head the previous delivery.
In the same over, George Linde struck in his second ball to send Josh Inglis back for a golden duck. Attempting to loft a short and wide delivery over the backward point region, Inglis failed to get the desired elevation. Senuran Muthusamy moved in quickly to take a sharp, low catch, leaving Australia at 16/2 in 2.2 overs.
The third wicket fell in the fourth over when Rabada returned to remove Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh for 13 off 7 balls. Marsh, who had struck a four and a six in his brief stay, attempted a pick-up shot to a good length delivery on leg stump. However, the ball gained more height than distance, soaring high before coming down towards deep square. Maphaka, running to his left, judged it perfectly and held on with both hands to complete a superb catch, his second of the match.
At 30/3 in 3.1 overs, Cameron Green was batting on 14 off 4 balls, with Australia facing early pressure against a charged-up South African bowling attack.
